The Green Bay Packers backfield sits at an interesting pivot point entering mandatory minicamp this month in June 2026. Josh Jacobs remains the clear lead running back after a 2025 campaign in which he handled 234 carries for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns across 15 games. Those touches, plus his 36 receptions for 282 yards, made him a cornerstone of Matt LaFleur's offense and a top-tier fantasy asset.
However, with Jacobs having absorbed 234 carries at age 27 (turning 28 in February 2026), questions naturally arise about how much longer the Packers can rely so heavily on him. This consideration opens the door for MarShawn Lloyd, the 2024 third-round pick entering his third NFL season, to establish a real role in the rotation.
Lloyd's rookie season in 2024 was essentially lost to injury. He appeared in just one game and did not record a touch before being placed on injured reserve. Consequently, the 2025 backfield leaned heavily on Jacobs and a patchwork of backups--Chris Brooks, Pierre Strong Jr., and others--who combined for minimal impact. Lloyd returned in 2025 but has yet to record a carry in meaningful game action, signaling limited involvement to date.
That landscape is poised to shift in 2026.
Depth Chart Context
The Packers did not select a running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, choosing instead to prioritize other areas of the roster. This move is notable because the position depth at running back was considered strong across the league, yet the Packers' front office, led by GM Brian Gutekunst, preferred to promote existing talent. They signed undrafted free agent Jaden Nixon and carry Damien Martinez, a 2025 draftee still on the fringe. But the only player with established draft capital and dynamic traits behind Jacobs remains Lloyd.
Meanwhile, Chris Brooks has served as a solid No. 3 option. Brooks averaged 3.9 yards per carry in 2025 and contributed 13 receptions out of the backfield, playing a traditional between-the-tackles role. Lloyd offers a different skillset: explosive one-cut acceleration, 4.46 speed, and receiving ability well-suited for Matt LaFleur's scheme, which emphasizes outside zone runs and screens.
Josh Jacobs: Productivity and Workload
Josh Jacobs' 2025 season was impressive by most standards. His volume -- 234 carries over 15 games, averaging 15.6 touches per game alongside 36 targets -- underscores his role as the offense's engine. But with nearly 1,600 professional carries between his time in Las Vegas and Green Bay, and now at age 28, the Packers have motivation to manage his workload more carefully to preserve his longevity.
The coaching staff, including Head Coach Matt LaFleur and Offensive Coordinator Adam Stenavich, have a history of employing a running back committee. Past years saw healthy splits between Aaron Jones and AJ Dillon or between Jamaal Williams and Jones. Jacobs' role as a near every-down back last season was born more from necessity than plan, as the team lacked a proven backup.
Why MarShawn Lloyd Is a Fit
Fully recovered from the hamstring and hip injuries that derailed his rookie campaign, Lloyd enters 2026 with an entire offseason's worth of learning and conditioning completed. Year three is often an inflection point for running backs selected beyond the early rounds -- many either emerge as significant contributors or settle into long-term backup roles.
The Packers' decision not to sign veteran free agents or draft a running back in 2026 sends a clear message of confidence in their internal options and specifically Lloyd's potential. This opens the door for Lloyd to compete for the No. 2 role, with a potential workload of 8-10 touches per game in passing situations, relief duties, and limited offensive series.
From a fantasy football perspective, Lloyd is the kind of late-round sleeper who could provide league-winning value. The Packers offense projects as a top-10 scoring unit as quarterback Jordan Love reaches his prime and the receiving corps of Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, and Matthew Golden continues to evolve. The bulk of touchdowns may not come from Lloyd, but his potential receiving role and occasional goal-line duties could yield big weeks.
Skepticism Remains
There is reason to be cautious. Lloyd's NFL resume is currently blank of meaningful production--no carries, no yards, and a status as an occasional healthy scratch during the 2025 season. Chris Brooks out-snapped him late in 2025, signaling the coaching staff's current preference. The absence of urgency to push him into the rotation suggests Lloyd must prove himself at minicamps and training camp before earnestly challenging Brooks or others.
Yet, it's common for players who miss or barely participate their rookie year due to injury to take until Year 3 to truly showcase their abilities. The increased opportunity, combined with more experience and a slowed-down game, can catalyze growth. Lloyd's physical attributes and draft pedigree indicate he has the tools needed for a breakout.
What to Watch at Minicamp and Training Camp
Mandatory minicamp starting in June 2026 will be the first critical opportunity to see how the coaching staff intend to allocate reps. Observers should focus on whether Lloyd receives first-team snaps in passing or quick-read drills and if he is integrated into the screen passing game during 11-on-11 sessions. Such indicators would strongly suggest the staff's belief in his readiness and a cue for fantasy managers to raise his stock.
Conversely, if Lloyd continues to trail Brooks on the depth chart during minicamp, his breakout timeline likely extends into the season or beyond.
For now, Lloyd should be considered a hold in dynasty leagues and a speculative late-round target in redraft formats, given the historical success the Packers' backfield has generated under LaFleur's offense.
Conclusion
The 2026 offseason presents a pivotal moment for MarShawn Lloyd and the Packers running back room. With Josh Jacobs' workload front and center, the opportunity for Lloyd's emergence as a key complementary piece seems more attainable than ever. The coming months will reveal whether Lloyd can seize this chance, potentially reshaping the Packers' offense and fantasy football landscapes.
Key Players Mentioned
- Josh Jacobs, RB: 234 carries, 929 yards, 13 TD rushing, 36 receptions, 282 receiving yards in 15 games for the Packers in 2025.
- MarShawn Lloyd, RB: 2024 third-round pick, recovering from injury, poised for expanded role in 2026.
- Chris Brooks, RB: Serviceable backup with 27 carries and 106 yards in 17 games in 2025.
- Matt LaFleur: Head Coach, committed to running back rotations.
- Adam Stenavich: Offensive Coordinator.
- Brian Gutekunst: General Manager.
The Packers backfield is entering a potential transition with the possibility of effective workload sharing that could keep Jacobs fresh while unleashing Lloyd's talents. Fantasy owners should monitor developments closely from minicamp through training camp for updates on this compelling storyline.
